YOUNG, Gene N.

The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona Wednesday, July 2, 2003 Col. Gene N. Young USAF retired, 71 of Tolleson, AZ passed away June 22, 2003. He was born in Grove City, Ohio on Aug. 30, 1931. Gene grew up on his father's ranch, the Rafter JY in the heart of the Bradshaw mountains north of Phoenix. In 1947, he graduated from Phoenix Union High School and as his brothers did, attended Ohio State University, graduating Suma Cum Laude with a degree in Electrical Engineering. While at Ohio State, Gene joined the Ohio National Guard to pursue his passion of flying. His unit was activated for the Korean War, beginning a career in the Air Force as a highly decorated combat pilot, test pilot and flight instructor, finally retiring as a Colonel. In 1961, while pursuing graduate studies at the University of Colorado, he met another graduate student, Mary Jean Knochenhauer. They fell in love and were married on Thanksgiving of the same year. Gene and Mary Jean made their home through the years in California, Idaho and Arizona. During this time, they were blesssed with three children, Barbara, John and Nick, and five grandchildren. He was involved in the Veteran's of Foreign Wars, Korean War Veteran's Association, American Legion and Elks Int. He was a community leader for 4-H programs in Arizona and Idaho. Gene is survived by his wife Mary Jean, children, Barbara Zimmermann, Prosser, WA., John Young, Hayden Lake, ID. Nick Young, Phoenix, AZ., 5 grandchildren and sister Katie Rivard. At Gene's request a family memorial was held June 28, 2003. The family requests in lieu of flowers donations to American Diabetes Society, American Heart Association and American Cancer Society.